New study to address critical gap in chemotherapy safety

An overwhelming majority of cancer patients receive their chemotherapy in ambulatory oncology clinics, but little research has been done to understand communication processes in this high-risk and complicated environment. In oncology settings, poor communication or mistakes in communication could mean delays in treatment, unexpected reactions sometimes requiring the patient to be hospitalized and other adverse effects.

A team of University of Michigan researchers will investigate clinician communication processes and technologies, and how they may influence safe chemotherapy administration, with support from a $1.4 million grant from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

IHPI members Christopher Friese, Milisa Manojlovich, and Jennifer Griggs will lead the three-year effort.